(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Easterlies / Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.


Tuesday, April 17, 2018


News feature: DOE pushes for e-trike, energy-efficient public transport

By Venus L. Garcia  

BUTUAN CITY, April 17 (PIA) - In its leg of the information and education campaign through a Multi-Sectoral Forum on the Use of Alternative Fuels in Caraga region conducted here, the Department of Energy (DOE) stood at the forefront in capturing the interest of over a hundred participants to advocate and be part in the localized implementation of E-trikes.

In his welcome message, representing in behalf of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga regional director Abner Caga, deputy regional director Fryan Abkilan emphasized that the government through the DOE and PIA has already been conducting series of campaign activities nationwide to enhance people's awareness, knowledge and understanding about alternative fuels as future's most cost-effective renewable resources.

"The present administration is in fact advocating the use of cleaner alternative energy fuels and the use of electronic vehicles," Abkilan said.

The tips on smart energy use are also elaborated. There’s an emphasis on employing smart electricity consumption measure or action at workplace, at home, or wherever people might be to help save energy.

The forum aimed to present the importance of cleaner alternative energy fuels, energy technologies and the efficient utilization of energy for people's appreciation.

E-trike to strike out pollution

Apart from compressed natural gas, auto-liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for taxis, the electronic vehicles (EV) or E-trikes are considered to likely improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

“Through the alternative fuels program, it seeks to achieve energy security through fuel diversification while meeting environmental challenges. This is why the DOE is committed to push for alternative transport utilizing “green vehicles” such as E-trikes. The introduction of energy-efficient electric vehicles in the market is envisioned to bring forth a sustainable transport system,” said Engr. Federico Domingo, Jr., supervising science research specialist of DOE.

The electric vehicle technology reduces or eliminates air pollution due to tail pipe emission, and it produces less noise and vibrations.

According to Engr. Simon Leonor, senior science specialist of DOE, the government is working into market transformation through introduction of energy-efficient electric vehicles or the e-trike project. He said that e-trike uses electric motors and motor controllers for propulsion and it is powered by on-board battery packs.

Leonor further cited the advantages of electric vehicle: It is cheaper to run since the cost of charging an EV is equivalent to paying around 30 percent of the cost per liter of gasoline; EVs can be charged anywhere with a power point/source, just like charging a mobile phone. “You can wake up with a ‘full tank’ every morning by plugging in at home, and never have to go out of your way to a gasoline station,” he added.

As emphasized by Leonor, EVs can convert up to 90 percent of energy from their batteries into driving. This compares to 20-30 percent for a petrol or diesel vehicles.

Meanwhile, Karolline De Vera, science research specialist I from the DOE mentioned that there is a need to shift into alternative fuels to avoid or lessen pollution. She said that alternative fuels are cheaper than oil.

"We aim to shift to the use of alternative fuels because more than 70% are using oil fuel which is more hazardous to the environment. That's why it is really advantageous to utilize, patronize and promote the use of alternative fuels," she emphasized.

Under the alternative fuels program, the country's dependence on imported oil will be reduced by providing energy consumers with alternative and advance energy technologies and more environment-friendly fuel options aside from conventional fuels, such as gasoline and diesel.

The e-trike is under the Market Transformation program of the Department of Energy. This is part of the P1.7 billion loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank wherein 3,000 e-trikes are to be distributed in the different regions of the country.

As part of the contribution to sustainable transport, Engr. Charito Rosinas, former chief engineer of an international vessel, expressed interest and is one among those who are at the fence about investing on E-trike, and this will be the first EVs to roam along the thoroughfares in Butuan City.

Rosinas is more concerned of the benefits that EVs may contribute towards a healthy and stable environment. “I am in support to environmental protection and preservation and I believe EVs will help reduce the problem on pollution caused by hazardous gas and chemicals emitted by less efficient vehicles,” Rosinas stated.

Also, Rosinas planned to establish specific routes within the city and purposely serve the commuters with ease and convenience. He added that he has long been using electric power via solar energy source in the household, thus, the same will do well in charging EV batteries in a lesser cost.

The DOE remains open to all local government units as E-trike off-takers of their respective localities. Through this, the Philippines is envisioned to be at the forefront in terms of effectively implementing an environment-friendly, efficient, and sustainable transport system. (VLG/JPG/PIA-Caraga)


PNP Caraga implements Election Gun Ban

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, April 16 (PIA) - In line with the upcoming May 14, 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga has started to enforce the election ban on firearms, explosives, and other deadly weapons.

PNP Caraga regional director PCSupt. Noli Romana, reiterated Resolution No. 10197 of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), that provides among others: “No person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or deadly weapons in public places, including any building, street, park, private vehicle or public conveyance, even if licensed to carry the same, unless authorized in writing by the Commission on Elections.”

Romana underscored that personnel of PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other law enforcement agencies of the government who are duly deputized by the COMELEC are the only authorized to carry and possess firearms during the election period.

However, the good director clarified that when in possession of firearms, the deputized law enforcement officers must be in full uniform showing clearly and legibly his name, rank and serial number, which shall remain visible at all times and in the actual performance of his election duty in the specific area designated by the COMELEC.

It was also learned that the COMELEC may issue exemption to qualified individuals who by nature are considered high risk individuals.  

“We will apprehend persons including law enforcers who will violate election gun ban and will set up COMELEC checkpoints to be manned by local police as part of our security precautions,” emphasized PCSupt. Romana.

The regional PNP chief further assured that the Caraga cops will remain vigilant in its law enforcement and security operations to prevent election-related violence and ensure safe and fair elections. (JPG/PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)


NFA rice out of stock in SurSur

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, April 17 (PIA) - Due to import delay caused by suspension, the supply of NFA (National Food Authority) rice in Surigao del Sur will be temporarily out for at least a month.

May Sara Atomar, the agency’s provincial manager here, said their last delivery to accredited retailers was made on Friday, April 13, 2018.

Except for the 100 sacks of rice set aside for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), all three NFA warehouses in the province had been out of stock since then, she admitted. The said stocks were already paid by the jail management, Atomar added.

Notwithstanding the situation, commercial rice had always been available in the market, the NFA chief assured.

Based on regular monitoring, Atomar said that the modal price of regular-milled, well-milled, and premium commercial rice were tagged at P41.00, P45.00 and P50.00 per kilo, respectively.

Also, she agreed with the observation that even if market would be flooded with cheaper NFA rice at P32.00 per kilo, all the same, it would have little or no effect on prices of commercial rice.

In the meantime, the NFA here said that they would be awaiting for the arrival of imported rice in May. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


AgSur women producers join "She Shines Grand Women's Fair"
 
BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur, April 17 - Gaisano Grand Market Place of this city has recently organized "She Shines: Grand Women's Fair" to promote the products of women entrepreneurs in the province.

The fair was one of the store's activities to celebrate Women's Month.

Leizel Flores Batiao and Naome Teriote, key officers of Gaisano Grand Market Place-Bayugan, partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Sur (AdS) thru Trade Promotion Officer Corazon de la Peña and Jamaica Arenal, together with the staff of Negosyo Center-Bayugan, Charlott Pingol and Elphie Plaza.

The women producers were Julieta Pielago of Jaymmarrs Food Products, Bernadette Auxillian of Pidol Miki Factory, Ester Pelicano of RDP Food Products, Nelfa Capangpangan of Guapz Food Products, Cleotilde Potencioso of Cleo's Food Products, Rosalina Gomez of BG Food Products, Alicia Badajos of Shalom Food Products and Marivic Bundy of Bundy Wine.

Tablea, miki, fruit juices, banana chips, turmeric, wine, chicharon and other finger foods were the products sold in the fair. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)